Cuba Sweeps Costa Rica at Asunción 2025

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 11, 2025. – Cuba earned a convincing victory over Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-15) in the women’s volleyball tournament of the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, held at the Arena COP.

Cuba claimed its first win in Pool A for a 1-1 record, the same as Costa Rica. On the final day of the preliminary round, Cuba will face Paraguay, while Costa Rica will play against Argentina.

From the opening set, Cuba displayed a varied and effective offense, while Costa Rica struggled to find answers. In the second set, the Cuban block, led by Yensy Kindelán, proved decisive in extending their lead. Despite committing more errors in the third set (9 to Costa Rica’s 4), the Caribbean side sealed the match with a block from Lianet García against Ivanny Blackwood.

Statistics highlighted Cuba’s dominance in attack (45-15), blocking (9-3), and serving (9-0). Costa Rica, meanwhile, committed fewer unforced errors (12 compared to Cuba’s 22).

Lianet García led Cuba with 17 points from 8 attacks, 4 blocks, and 3 aces. Yalain De La Peña added 14 points (13 attacks, 1 block), and captain Whitney James contributed 11.

James emphasized the importance of the victory: “Today’s match was very important for us to move on to the next round, as well as to take the opportunity to practice several base combinations and connections. Tomorrow we will go for the win against Paraguay.”

Costa Rica’s captain, Rashanny Solano, acknowledged areas for improvement: “In the first set our performance was not good, and then we improved. I think that in addition to our defense, we need to work on our reception. Tomorrow, we close the preliminary round, and we will go in with a positive mindset.”